.NET PostgreSQL

Introduction to .NET and PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system. It's known for its stability, scalability, and support for advanced data types. In this guide, we'll explore how to integrate PostgreSQL with .NET using Npgsql and Entity Framework (EF) Core for efficient and typed database queries.

Setting Up the Environment

Before you start, ensure you have .NET SDK and PostgreSQL installed on your system. Additionally, you'll need to install the Npgsql library and EF Core packages to facilitate the integration between .NET and PostgreSQL.

Configuring the DbContext

The DbContext class in EF Core serves as a bridge between your .NET application and the PostgreSQL database. You'll configure it by specifying the connection string and using the Npgsql provider.

Defining Your Entity Models

Entities represent your database tables. Define them as classes in your .NET application to enable EF Core to map them to PostgreSQL database tables.

Performing Database Operations

With your models and DbContext configured, you can perform CRUD operations. Here's an example of how to add a new product to the database.

Querying with LINQ

EF Core supports LINQ queries, allowing for powerful and type-safe query capabilities. Below is an example of how to retrieve all products from a specific category.

Conclusion

Integrating PostgreSQL with .NET using Npgsql and EF Core allows developers to leverage the power of PostgreSQL while enjoying the benefits of typed queries and LINQ. This setup is ideal for building robust, scalable applications.